Vale Of Leithen vs Caledonian Braves

Caledonian Braves FC got back to winning ways this weekend after a convincing 3-0 win away to bottom of the table Vale of Leithen

Braves side featured a few changes from the defeat to Bonnyrigg with Alex Marshall and Reece Glackin dropping out for Nicky Hogarth (on –loan Rangers) and Ben Daily.

The Braves started how they meant to go on in a dominant fashion. French winger Jean Guy Lucas caused problems up the right hand side all afternoon but his early cross into Ben Daily was met by the striker unbalanced and he couldn’t keep his shot from rising over the bar.

Lucas was at it again, this time having a pop at goal himself from a wide angle which forced a corner. From that resulting corner a great ball in kindly met the head of top scorer Ross McNeil only to be stopped by a fine save from the home keeper.

Daily provided himself a nuisance for the defence on Saturday and his darting run was met from a long ball through by Kyle Johnson. Daily rounded the keeper but the goal was only prevented by a last ditch slide from a defender keeping the ball out of the net. 

The goal eventually came a lovely give and go from Marc Kelly and Dominic Slattery put Kelly through on goal was he slotted home into the bottom left hand corner.

Vale of Leithen’s keeper had a great afternoon considering the score line he kept another two Daily attempts out before Kelly grabbed his second of the afternoon. Kelly started the attack from his own half with a ball out to Lucas, his long ball forward was deflected into the path of McNeil who shot was blocked by the keeper only for Kelly to nip in and tap into the empty net.

The game dwindled down in the second half but more chances came for the Braves with McNeil and Neil McLaughlin both going close.

The third goal came it was Marc Kelly again who completed a perfect Hat-Trick. The forward snuck round the defence to have a free header at the back post to claim his and the Braves third of the match.

3 Points, a Hat Trick and a Clean Sheet for the Braves as we take a two week break from league action. The Braves are at home against Crossgate Primrose in the South Region Challenge Cup Saturday 14th September 2019, 3pm KO.